THOSE volunteering with the police across West Mercia are currently being celebrated as part of National Volunteers’ Week (June 2 to 8).
Across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire there are more than 70 volunteers who all play crucial roles in supporting various teams across the force area.
There are volunteers working alongside police staff in the cyber-crime team. There are some providing support and guidance as a force chaplain.
One is delivering expertise knowledge as a historian at the force museum, and some are caring for our puppies to ensure they grow into crime-fighting police dogs.
The force say its volunteers offer ‘endless skills’ and provide ‘invaluable enthusiasm and expertise’ to the roles they do.
The Special Constabulary is made up of 81 volunteer police officers who work alongside and uphold the same policing powers as regular officers.
They work across a variety of policing teams and carry out duties such as, responding to 999 calls, patrolling on foot and in vehicles, investigating crimes and arresting suspects, and policing major events such as festivals and football matches.
In 2024, our Special Constables contributed near a staggering 24,000 hours in unpaid work. They attended 115 pre-planned operations, 243 shifts with Safer Neighbourhood Teams and worked 1,478 shifts on response.
Their commitment has been described as ‘remarkable’, with the volunteers branded as ‘valued assets’ across the force.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Volunteers are a key part of the policing family, whether they are a Special, Independent Custody Visitor, involved with their local Community Speed Watch, or help services deliver support to victims.
“Every single person who gives up some of their own time to make a difference in their community deserves to be celebrated and I know the public share my admiration for the often unseen but yet incredible contributions they each make in West Mercia.”
Visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/police-forces/west-mercia-police/areas/west-mercia/ca/careers/citizens-in-policing/special-constables/ for more information on special constables.
You can watch a video from the force showcasing the shift of special constable, Sarah Severn with the force’s roads policing team in Bromsgrove. Watch https://youtu.be/SUQT4iqA-jw here.
